Irwin M. Jacobs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Irwin M. Jacobs
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Jacobs in 2005
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Irwin Mark Jacobs
October 18, 1933 |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (BSc) Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MSc, DSc) |
| Occupation | Engineer, businessman |
| Known for | Co-founder of Qualcomm |
| Spouse(s) | Joan Klein (m. 1954, died 2024) |
| Children | 4, including Gary E. Jacobs and Paul E. Jacobs |
| Relatives | Sara Jacobs (granddaughter) |
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Irwin Mark Jacobs (born October 18, 1933) is an American electrical engineer and businessman. He helped start and used to lead a big technology company called Qualcomm. He also leads the board of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, which is a famous science research center. He is known for his work in making wireless communication better.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Irwin Jacobs was born in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He went to Cornell University and earned a degree in electrical engineering in 1956. He then studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There, he earned two more advanced degrees in electrical engineering and computer science.
Building a Career in Tech
Jacobs started his career as a professor at MIT from 1959 to 1966. Later, he taught computer science and engineering at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He even wrote a textbook about communication engineering that is still used today. The Jacobs School of Engineering at UCSD is named after him and his wife.
In 1968, Jacobs co-founded a company called Linkabit with Andrew Viterbi. They worked on devices to encrypt satellite communications.
Starting Qualcomm
In 1985, Jacobs helped start Qualcomm Inc. with several other people. Qualcomm created a system called OmniTRACS. This system was a very advanced way for vehicles to communicate and be tracked using satellites.
Jacobs was a pioneer in making wireless communication more efficient. He helped develop a technology called code-division multiple access (CDMA). This technology was adopted as one of the main digital standards for cell phones in North America. In 2009, Jacobs stepped down as chairman of Qualcomm. His son, Paul E. Jacobs, took over his role.
Important Affiliations
Irwin Jacobs was chosen as a member of the National Academy of Engineering in 1982. This was because of his important work in communication technology. He is also a Fellow of the IEEE, which is a top honor for engineers. He serves on the board of the Salk Institute for Biological Studies. He also advises important universities around the world, like the Technion – Israel Institute of Technology and Tsinghua University in China.
Awards and Recognitions
Jacobs has received many awards for his contributions to technology. In 1994, he was given the National Medal of Technology and Innovation. This was for his work on CDMA technology.
In 1995, he won the IEEE Alexander Graham Bell Medal. This award recognized his leadership and contributions to telecommunications. In 2000, he was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame.
In 2011, he received the Marconi Prize, a major award in the field of radio and communication. In 2013, he received the IEEE Medal of Honor. This is the highest award an engineer can get from their peers. The IEEE praised him for turning his innovations into real-world applications.
In 2014, he was elected as a Fellow of the Computer History Museum. This honored his pioneering work in digital mobile phones and data communication. He has also received several honorary doctorates from universities around the world.
Giving Back: Philanthropy
Irwin Jacobs and his wife, Joan, have given a lot of money to support education and the arts. They have donated hundreds of millions of dollars. Their gifts often help students in engineering and computer science. They also support arts and cultural organizations, especially in the San Diego area.
They have given large amounts to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of California, San Diego. They also supported KPBS Radio and Television, which are public broadcasting stations.
In 2010, Jacobs helped fund a plan to improve Balboa Park in San Diego. He also chaired a committee to raise private money for the project.
The Jacobs have supported many other important places. They donated to the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego. They also pledged large amounts to the San Diego Symphony and a new hospital at UCSD. The Joan and Irwin Jacobs Center for the La Jolla Playhouse is named after them.
In 2013, the Jacobs donated $133 million to the Cornell Tech campus in New York City. In 2022, they made a $20 million gift to the American Civil Liberties Union Foundation. This was the largest single gift in the organization's history.
The Giving Pledge
In 2010, Irwin and Joan Jacobs joined "The Giving Pledge." This is a promise made by wealthy individuals to give away most of their money to charity during their lifetime or in their will.
Personal Life
Irwin Jacobs married Joan Klein in 1954. They lived in La Jolla, California. They had four sons. Their son, Paul E. Jacobs, became the CEO of Qualcomm after Irwin. Another son, Gary E. Jacobs, leads the board of the Gary and Jerri-Ann Jacobs High Tech High Charter School. Their granddaughter, Sara Jacobs, is a politician. Joan Jacobs passed away in May 2024.
See also
In Spanish: Irwin M. Jacobs para niños
